Fairfield Half Marathon runs on volunteers

Mike Lauterborn

Updated 7:26 am, Monday, June 24, 2013

Fairfield firefighters at the top of aerial trucks' ladders to rig a large American flag that was unfurled over teh finish line for the Stratton Faxon Fairfield Half Marathon at Jennings Beach on Sunday.
Photo: Mike Lauterborn

To the untrained eye, the annual Stratton Faxon Fairfield Half Marathon rolls through 13.1 miles of local roadways like a well-oiled machine.

But that's because behind the scene, a cadre of hundreds of volunteers -- town firefighters, community groups and schools, among the most prominent -- help plan and execute the giant enterprise that last year helped Fairfield firefighters, race sponsors and individual runners raise more than $400,000 for various charities, according to organizers.

Attracting a sold-out field of 5,000 runners, Sunday's 33rd annual half marathon over a 13.1-mile course through Fairfield and Westport started and ended at Jennings Beach. While many of the volunteers carried out their tasks at the beach, at almost every turn of the race course, volunteers also were hard at work.

At the registration area, about a dozen Fairfield College Preparatory School students, alumni and staff, recruited by the school's cross-country running team coach Bob Ford Sr., handled sign-ins and race number distribution. "I've been doing this for 10 years or so, also handling back-up timing at the finish line," Ford said. "Many of our recruits are former team members and parents. God bless the parents."

The Fairfield YMCA had fielded perhaps the largest contingent of volunteers. "We have around 50 people here, assisting with water, parking, baggage, giving out shirts and running timers," said the Y's Colin Donovan. "A portion of race proceeds go towards the Y's Strong Kids Campaign. Our group has been involved for quite a few years."

Southport Volunteer Fire Department members were all over the race staging area, shuttling materials from one spot to another in UTVs and other vehicles. "We've been using our new Ranger 14 UTV to move stuff around," said Chief Chris Luciani. "We've also got our Squad 14 and Tactical 14 trucks in other spots on the course performing various services. Fifteen guys altogether. It's great to have a long association with this race."

One dedicated volunteer is Kevin Kenney, a retired Fairfield firefighter who has been coordinating baggage check-in for 33 years, since the race's inception. This year was an even bigger challenge, with tighter security that prohibited runners from bringing bags or backpacks to the beach. Instead, they were allowed to check in a few essential items in clear, plastic bags.

"We're usually responsible for a couple thousand bags, handled by a team of 30 people, including Fairfield YMCA members, firefighters and family members," he said. "Over my 33 years volunteering, the race has grown immensely. We have no problem getting volunteers. The word goes out, people show up. The interaction with the runners is great. As tough as the bags are to coordinate, I'd rather be doing this than running."

In the main food area, Christine Fecteau and Fairfield YMCA Aquatic Director Maureen Scinto were busy taking in supplies that would later be distributed to runners. The orders were staggering: 20 large bags of ice, 1,700 cups of yogurt, three bins of watermelons, 15 cases of oranges, 15 cases of bananas, 3,500 assorted drinks, 3,000 loaves of Chabaso bread, 4,500 Roebek's smoothies, 425 pizzas and 2,000 Kayem hot dogs.

"We start at 5:30 in the morning with a volunteer breakfast at the Y, then put everyone on buses to their various service destinations," Scinto said. "Our volunteers include front desk staff, lifeguards, babysitters, board members, sports staff, camp counselors and members. It's a lot of work but very exciting, with so many people coming through our community. This is a phenomenal, well-run race."

Firefighter Joe Galla was on medical duty, driving a new Gator 1 UTV. "I've been helping out here for the past 15 years, since I started with the department," he said. "It's rewarding and all done for good causes like the Bridgeport Hospital Burn Center and Wounded Warriors."

Assistant Fire Chief Chris Tracy, who ran his own "race" to coordinate communications, personnel and even the raising of a giant American flag over the event's finish line, said, "Since 1981, we've been involved, and have at least 50 crew members here today, all of them members of Local 1426.

"They are proud to take time out here to support runners from around the world."